PRODUCTION OF METHANOL AND ISOBUTYL ALCOHOL MIXTURES OVER DOUBLE-BED CESIUM-PROMOTED CU ZNO/CR2O3 AND ZNO/CR2O3 CATALYSTS/

Utilization of a Cs-promoted Cu/ZnO/Cr2O3 catalyst as a first low-temp erature bed and a Cs-promoted ZnO/Cr2O3 catalyst as a second high-temp erature bed significantly promoted the productivity of 2-methyl-1-prop anol (isobutyl alcohol) from H-2/CO synthesis gas mixtures. While the conversion of CO to C-2+ oxygenates over the double-bed configuration was comparable to that observed over the single Cu-based catalyst, maj or changes in the product distribution occurred by the coupling to the zinc chromite catalyst; i.e., the productivity of the C-1-C-3 alcohol s decreased dramatically and 2-methyl-branched alcohols were selective ly formed. The desirable methanol/2-methyl oxygenates molar ratios clo se to 1 were obtained in the present double-bed system that provide th e feedstock for the synthesis of high octane and high cetane ethers.